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  • Foreign Affairs

    Norwegian architect behind Busan Opera House highlights architecture’s role in social change

    Architecture should do more than create iconic buildings — it should shape how people interact, gather and experience their cities, according to Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Norwegian architectural and design firm Snøhetta, which is currently leading the Busan Opera House project. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday, Thorsen outlined Snøhetta’s design philosophy and highlighted projects from around the world, arguing that architecture can serve as a catalyst for cultural participation, social integration and sustainable development. The event, held at the Norwegian ambassador’s residence under the theme “Designing Culture, Designing Change: Architecture as a Catalyst for Collective Futures,” brought together architects, cultural leaders and industry professionals to explore the role of design in shaping contemporary society. Welcoming guests, Norwegian Ambassador Anne Kari Hansen Ovind described Snøhetta as one of Norway’s most influential creative enterprises and a global ambassador for Norwegian design. “Sn

    3 MIN READBy Anna J. Park
    Norwegian architect behind Busan Opera House highlights architecture’s role in social change
  • Foreign Affairs

    Lee to receive Italy's highest decoration for promoting bilateral ties

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee to receive Italy's highest decoration for promoting bilateral ties
  • Others

    Lee, Mattarella agree to elevate Korea-Italy ties into special strategic partnership

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee, Mattarella agree to elevate Korea-Italy ties into special strategic partnership
  • North Korea

    Seoul, Washington reaffirm goal of NK denuclearization at key nuclear deterrence meeting

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Seoul, Washington reaffirm goal of NK denuclearization at key nuclear deterrence meeting
  • Foreign Affairs

    Lee says depending on US for defense no longer valid, will boost economic ties

    2 MIN READBy Yonhap
    Lee says depending on US for defense no longer valid, will boost economic ties
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Foreign Affairs

Foreign ministry notifies foreign missions of new acting President Choi Sang-mok

The foreign ministry notified foreign missions in Seoul of a change in the acting presidency following the resignation of acting President Han Duck-soo, government officials said Thursday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to diplomatic missions in Korea, stating that Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok will assume the role of acting president starting at midnight Thursday, according to the officials. The letter also emphasized that Korea's diplomatic direction and policy philosophy will remain unchanged. Earlier in the day, Han, who had been serving as both acting president and prime minister, stepped down, signaling his intention to run in the June 3 presidential election, which was triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. (Yonhap)

May 1, 2025By Yonhap
Foreign ministry notifies foreign missions of new acting President Choi Sang-mok
North Korea

S. Korea's military says new N. Korean warship likely requires more time for deployment

North Korea's newly launched destroyer likely requires a "considerable" amount of time for deployment, South Korea's military said Thursday. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun made the assessment after the North's new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer -- launched Friday -- conducted live-fire tests of its weapons systems for the first time Monday and Tuesday. "While the Choe Hyon was unveiled, it likely needs a considerable amount of time for deployment," Lee said in a briefing. "When looking at its weapons and equipment, there is a possibility that (the North) received technological or financial help from Russia." Lee said warship development typically take years to complete and that further time is required for deployment even after a vessel is built. "(We) are closely monitoring and tracking North Korea's weapons development activities." 38 North, a U.S. think tank monitoring North Korea, earlier said more work appeared to be necessary for the destroyer, citing commercial satellite imagery taken Friday that showed tugboats being used to move the ship.

May 1, 2025By Yonhap
S. Korea's military says new N. Korean warship likely requires more time for deployment
North Korea

Acting president urges watertight readiness posture against N. Korea-Russia military ties

Acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday called on security-related ministers to maintain a watertight readiness posture against strengthening military ties between North Korea and Russia, saying there must be "no compromise" when it comes to national security. Han also instructed ministers to keep a vigilant defense posture and "leave no gaps" in protecting the lives and property of the people, amid growing speculation that he may soon resign before announcing his bid for the June 3 presidential election. "North Korea is accelerating its close ties with Russia, upgrading its weapons systems aimed at us and plotting new provocations, while our government, businesses and citizens remain under constant threat of cyberattacks," Han said. Han also addressed growing public concerns over the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on South Korea's security. "The government must respond to the changing global order, including negotiations with the U.S., with the national interest as its top priority and work calmly and seriously under the principle that there can be no compromis

May 1, 2025By Yonhap
Acting president urges watertight readiness posture against N. Korea-Russia military ties
North Korea

Road bridge linking N. Korea, Russia to bolster economic cooperation: KCNA

North Korea said Thursday the construction of a road bridge linking the North and Russia across the Tumen River will provide a "substantial guarantee" for bolstering economic cooperation between the two nations. North Korea and Russia held a ceremony simultaneously in their respective border cities of Rason and Khasan on Wednesday to launch the construction of the motor bridge linking the two nations, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In June last year, North Korea and Russia agreed to construct a road bridge across the Tumen River with its completion eyed by the end of 2026, as the North's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty to prop up cooperation. The construction "provides a substantial guarantee for laying down and reinforcing the important infrastructure for economic cooperation and for vitalizing the bilateral cooperation including travel of persons, tourism and circulation of commodities in a many-sided way," the KCNA said. Premier Pak Thae-song and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at

May 1, 2025By Yonhap
Road bridge linking N. Korea, Russia to bolster economic cooperation: KCNA
North Korea

N. Korea, Russia launch construction of road bridge across Tumen River: Seoul

North Korea and Russia on Wednesday launched the construction of a road bridge linking them across the Tumen River, a Russian report said, as the two nations have been deepening cooperation. Russia's Tass news agency reported that the ceremony was held virtually, attended by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin via video link, quoting him as saying that the construction "is a big milestone for Russian-Korean relations." From the North Korean side, Premier Pak Thae-song attended the ceremony. In June last year, North Korea and Russia agreed to build the motorway bridge across the border river, with its construction expected to be completed by the end of 2026, as the leaders of the two nations signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty to prop up cooperation. Tass also quoted Mishustin as saying "it symbolizes our common intention to strengthen friendly neighborly relations, to boost transregional cooperation." Earlier in the day, South Korea's unification ministry suggested that North Korea and Russia may hold the launching ceremony, citing satellite imagery showing related Ru

Apr 30, 2025By Yonhap
N. Korea, Russia launch construction of road bridge across Tumen River: Seoul
North Korea

About 600 N. Korean soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine

Some 600 North Korean soldiers are believed to have been killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers Wednesday, adding that more than 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been also wounded. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) gave the assessment during a closed-door briefing for the National Assembly's intelligence committee, two days after North Korea confirmed for the first time that Pyongyang has deployed troops to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. North Korea has sent about 15,000 troops to Russia and there have been some 4,700 casualties, including about 600 deaths, the NIS told lawmakers, according to Reps. Lee Seong-kweun of the People Power Party and Kim Byung-kee of the Democratic Party of Korea. North Korea has deployed its troops to Russia over two phases, and fighting has decreased since April after Moscow took back most areas of its front-line region of Kursk, the lawmakers quoted the NIS as saying. The spy agency has yet to detect signs of another troop deployment by North Korea but did not rule out its possibility, they

Apr 30, 2025By Yonhap
About 600 N. Korean soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine
Foreign Affairs

Acting president congratulates Canada's PM on election victory

Acting President Han Duck-soo has congratulated Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on his party's victory in the country's general election, Han's office said Wednesday. Han sent a telegram Tuesday "sincerely" congratulating Carney on the Liberals' election win earlier this week and wishing Canada "eternal development." "South Korea and Canada have developed a close partnership based on common values over the past 60 years," he wrote, adding that the two countries will this year mark 10 years since the announcement of their bilateral free trade agreement and respectively chair the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the Group of Seven. "I look forward to the two countries' continued close cooperation as comprehensive strategic partners," he said.

Apr 30, 2025By Yonhap
Acting president congratulates Canada's PM on election victory
Foreign Affairs

Korea, US to launch working-level talks on tariffs this week

Korea and the United States will hold working-level talks this week to set details of their recent agreement concerning the Donald Trump administration's tariff scheme, Seoul's industry ministry said Wednesday. The two-day "technical discussions" will begin on Wednesday (U.S. time) in Washington as a follow-up to last week's agreement to craft a package deal on the new U.S. tariffs and ways of bilateral economic and industrial cooperation before the 90-day pause on the tariff measures expires on July 8, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The upcoming discussions will be attended by officials from the ministry and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). "This round of technical consultations is intended to finalize the framework for discussions regarding U.S. tariff measures. We will actively seek exemptions from reciprocal tariffs, item-specific tariffs, such as those on automobiles and steel products, and any new levies that may be introduced in the future, in order to minimize damage to our businesses," senior ministry official Jang Sung-gil

Apr 30, 2025By Yonhap
Korea, US to launch working-level talks on tariffs this week
Foreign Affairs

Senior US diplomat reaffirms US support for Japan's efforts to address NK abduction issue

A top U.S. diplomat on Tuesday reaffirmed the United States' support for Japan's efforts to address the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, a State Department spokesperson said. The reaffirmation came as Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met a visiting Japanese delegation, including Rep. Furuya Keiji, the head of Japan's Parliamentary Association on Abduction Issues, and family members of the abductees. "He reaffirmed U.S. support for Japan in achieving an immediate resolution of the abductions issue," Tammy Bruce, the spokesperson, said in a statement. Landau also expressed his condolences for Arimoto Akihiro, who was unable to reunite with his daughter Keiko before he passed away in February. Tokyo has officially recognized 17 citizens as victims abducted by the North in the 1970s and 1980s. Five of them returned to Japan following then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's trip to Pyongyang in 2002, while the other 12 abductees remain unaccounted for. Pyongyang argues that of the 12 Japanese nationals in question, eight passed away while the other f

Apr 30, 2025By Yonhap
Senior US diplomat reaffirms US support for Japan's efforts to address NK abduction issue
Foreign Affairs

Finance minister says Korea not seeking hasty trade deal with US before June election

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Wednesday that Korea is not hurrying to conclude trade negotiations with the United States ahead of its upcoming presidential election, noting that recent remarks by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were not specifically directed at Seoul. His comments came after Bessent on Tuesday (local time) suggested that certain U.S. trading partners, including Korea, may seek to finalize the "framework of a deal" before their elections. Speaking at a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday, Choi said there was no reason for Seoul to reach any conclusion before its presidential election scheduled for June 3. "I was surprised by yesterday's remarks, so I looked up the original transcript. It appeared to be a general comment made for a domestic audience during his 100-day press conference," Choi said. He also emphasized that working-level discussions between the two countries scheduled for this week are not progressing at a fast pace and are conducted in line with a 90-day pause in reciprocal tariff measures announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Last we

Apr 30, 2025By Yonhap
Finance minister says Korea not seeking hasty trade deal with US before June election
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